News

Police arrest San Jose man, 20, suspected of stabbing friend at birthday party

By Mark Gomez mgomez@mercurynews.com

Posted:
05/09/2013 05:58:53 AM PDT

Updated:
05/09/2013 11:16:49 AM PDT

SAN JOSE -- A 20-year-old San Jose man suspected of stabbing his friend multiple times is behind bars after officers found him hiding in a park, according to police.

San Jose police arrested Peter Brunetto early Thursday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following a two-hour search of Doerr Park in southwest San Jose, according to Lt. Mike Sullivan.

Police say the suspect was attending the victim's 21st birthday party when a fight broke out. The suspect reportedly stabbed the victim multiple times, Sullivan said.

Others at the party took the victim to a hospital, where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries, according to police. Officers responded to the hospital and were given information that the suspect may have gone to Doerr Park, which is near the location of the party.

Officers spent about two hours searching the park and nearby yards, Sullivan said.

Eventually police found a baseball style cap outside a 10-foot fence with barbed wire surrounding a community swimming pool. The hat was similar to the one the suspect was wearing at the party, Sullivan said.

Officers found the suspect inside the pool area.

Contact Mark Gomez at 408-920-5869. Follow him on Twitter @MarkMgomez.